St. Patrick’s Day Parade beneficiaries named

Three youth charity groups recently were selected to be the beneficiaries of the 2007 St. Patrick's Day Parade and related events.

Selected by the St. Patrick's Day committee were: O'Connell Youth Ranch, the Strategic Education Center (formerly the Strategic Learning Center) and Operation Kindergarten, a program that provides helmets to children who ride bicycles and promotes bicycle safety.

O'Connell Youth Ranch is a group home facility for boys ages 8 to 18 who have been placed in state custody by the courts.

The parade committee is now in its 20th year and has provided about $385,000 to local children's charities. Donations come into the committee through events it sponsored, such as the parade, 5K run and a sports auction.